The Canadian equestrian world has lost one of its ‘founding fathers’ with the passing of Thomas Franklin Gayford on Sunday, April 26, at the age of 97.
Tom Gayford was one of the trailblazers of the sport in this country, riding on Canadian Equestrian Teams from the late 1940s until the early 1970s. During that time he won a team gold medal in eventing at the 1959 Pan Am Games in Chicago, and team bronze in show jumping at the 1967 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg. At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, along with Jim Elder and Jim Day, Gayford won Canada’s first-ever Olympic equestrian gold medal in team jumping riding Big Dee. More gold medals would follow at the 1970 World Championships (La Baule) and 1971 Pan Am Games (Cali). As an individual, he won the Puissance at the National Horse Show in New York City three times, once setting a record with Blue Beau that stood for many years. He was staunchly supported behind the scenes by Martha Gayford; the couple married in 1965.
Taking on the role of Canadian Team chef d’équipe in 1978 seemed a natural transition once his own competition days wound down, a position he held until 1996 when he ‘retired’, although he still coached at the family farm in Aurora until well into 2025. He also attended horse shows regularly, including Caledon and the Royal Winter Fair, where he enjoyed holding court with old friends and anyone who cared to stop by and chat.
Gayford was recognized for his many accomplishments over the years, being inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1968 and to the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1971. Along with 1968 Olympic gold medal teammates Elder and Day, they were among the inaugural inductees into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame in 2006. He was again inducted into the JCHOF in 2008 as Coach/Trainer. On the occasion of this particular award, fellow riders remarked on a video tribute:
“You could always hear Tommy at the horse shows, he was quite vociferous when he was instructing,” said longtime fellow team member Torchy Millar.
“He would shout at the Queen of England if he thought something was going wrong,” added Moffat Dunlap.
Tom and Big Dee.
And he was always right, admitted daughter, coach and rider Margie Gayford, often to her chagrin. “He was always so very determined to do things the way he wanted them done. But he was also so open-minded about picking up something new, and I think that’s a sign of how well he did in his life with the horses.”
She continued, “He loved to win, and he loved to prepare the horses to win with schooling and proper training. He was such a fountain of knowledge, from racing, polo, hunting, showing, international experience, and if he didn’t know the answer, he would go to someone else and find it. He wasn’t too proud to learn from other people. To the end of his days, he was always watching and learning, and I’m going to miss that.”
Teammate and lifelong friend Jim Elder said, “What a life he led! We really lost a legend; Tom was probably the best horseman that I ever have known. He was tough, he was disciplined. He would let you know if you did something wrong. But he was good-hearted and meant everything in a good way.”
Elder recalled the courses they navigated and horses they rode that were so different from the technical tracks and well-bred athletes of today. “We grew up at a good time when we were just starting to get into the international part of it, but we didn’t always have the top horses. When we were jumping, all they did was put the jumps where they pushed them off the wagon and away we would go – there was no measuring distances,” he said, laughing. “So you had to make sure that you didn’t make a mistake in the ring, especially in the Nation’s Cup classes.”
“Tom was the consummate horseman, and our team captain for a long time. We had a lot of nice experiences, and a lot of laughs, too.”
Olympic silver medalist and international course designer Michel Vaillancourt said, “‘Coach Tom’, as we called him, was the chef d’équipe when I came on the scene in the mid-seventies. I will always remember the way he embraced me as a newcomer. He was always willing to share his knowledge with anyone who cared to listen.
“We certainly had great successes together… all of us riders had tremendous respect for the man. To me he was a legend, someone I looked up to. Tommy understood the importance of team spirit. ‘All for one and one for all’ was the motto. Tommy was my coach for most of my biggest riding accomplishments, and I am proud and honoured to say he was a close friend of mine. RIP my dear friend, I’ll see you on the other side.”
Visitation for Tom Gayford will take place Friday, May 1st, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Humphrey Funeral Home at 1403 Bayview Ave., Toronto. The Gayford family invites those who want to pay their respects “to come and bring a photo or share their stories – there are so many stories.”
There will be a private family funeral at a later date.
More News
